Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus

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Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus
Atropoides-nummifer-1a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Metlapilcoatlus
Species:
M. mexicanus
Binomial name
Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus
Synonyms
  • Atropos MexicanusA.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854
  • Bothriechis mexicanus Cope, 1861
  • Bothriopsis mexicanus Cope, 1871
  • Bothriechis nummifera var. notataFischer, 1880
  • Bothrops mexicanus F. Müller, 1880
  • Teleuraspis mexicanus Cope, 1887
  • Bothrops nummifer mexicanus
    Mertens, 1952
  • Porthidium nummifer mexicanum
    Campbell & Lamar, 1989
  • Atropoides nummifer mexicana
    Campbell & Brodie, 1992 [2]
Common names: Central American jumping pit viper. [3]

Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus is a pit viper species [4] endemic to Mexico and Central America.

Contents

Description

M. mexicanus, Dominical, Costa Rica. Atropoides-nummifer-2.jpg
M. mexicanus, Dominical, Costa Rica.

Adults grow to an average of 50–70 cm (about 20–28 inches) in total length. The maximum total length is 86.7 cm (34+18 in) for males and 97.9 cm (38+12 in) for females. The body is extremely stout. [3]

Geographic range

Central American jumping pitviper. Mano de piedra. ( Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus) Mano-de-piedra.Central-American-jumping-pitviper.(Atropoides-nummifer-mexicanus).jpg
Central American jumping pitviper. Mano de piedra. ( Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus)

Found in the Atlantic drainage from Mexico (in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas) south to the Canal Zone in Panama, both slopes of Costa Rica and Panama. Occurs at elevations of 40–1,600 m (130–5,250 ft). [3] The type locality given is "Coban, capitale de la province de la Véra-Paz, (République de Guatemala, Amérique centrale)" (Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). [2]

Taxonomy

Regarded as a full species, Metlapilcoatlus mexicanus, by Campbell and Lamar (2004). [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Metlapilcoatlus</i> Genus of snakes

Metlapilcoatlus is a genus of pit vipers endemic to Mexico and Central America. Six species are currently recognized. The common names suggest they are able to leap at an attacker, but this is likely exaggerated. Common names for the species include jumping pitvipers and jumping vipers. The genus name comes from the Nahuatl name metlapilcohuatl, which means of the oblong grindstone held in the hand when grinding corn—alluding to the snake's short, stocky body.

<i>Bothriechis</i> Genus of snakes

Bothriechis is a genus of pit vipers, commonly called palm vipers or palm-pitvipers found predominantly in Mexico and Central America, although the most common species, B. schlegelii, ranges as far south as Colombia and Peru. All members are relatively slender and arboreal. The name Bothriechis is derived from the Greek words bothros and echis that mean "pit" and "viper" respectively. Ten species and no subspecies are currently generally recognized.

<i>Cerrophidion</i> Genus of snakes

Cerrophidion is a genus of pit vipers which are endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and western Panama. The generic name, Cerrophidion, is derived from the Spanish word cerro, which means "mountain", and the Greek word ophidion, which means "small snake". Five species are recognized as being valid, but no subspecies are.

<i>Crotalus simus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus simus is a venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Central America. The specific epithet is Latin for "flat-nosed", likely because its head is blunt compared with lanceheads (Bothrops). Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Crotalus pusillus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus pusillus, or the Tancitaran Dusky Rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper species found in west-central Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Crotalus transversus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus transversus, or the Cross-banded Mountain Rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper species found in central Mexico, known from less than 20 specimens. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Crotalus totonacus is a venomous pit viper species found in northeastern Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothriechis bicolor</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis bicolor is a pit viper species found in southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. The specific name refers to the contrasting ventral and dorsal colors. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Metlapilcoatlus nummifer</i> Species of snake

Metlapilcoatlus nummifer, commonly known as Mexican jumping pit viper or jumping viper, is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico.

<i>Metlapilcoatlus olmec</i> Species of snake

Metlapilcoatlus olmec is a pit viper species found in Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Atropoides picadoi, also known as Picado's jumping pitviper, is a species of venomous snake, a pitviper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Costa Rica. There are no subspecies that are recognised as being valid. It is monotypic in the genus Atropoides.

<i>Bothriechis aurifer</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis aurifer is a pit viper species found in Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Bothriechis marchi</i> Species of snake

Bothriechis marchi, also known as Honduran palm pit viper and March's palm pit viper, is a species of pit viper, a venomous snake, in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

Mixcoatlus barbouri is a pit viper species endemic to Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Cerrophidion godmani</i> Species of snake

Cerrophidion godmani is a venomous pit viper species native to southern Mexico and Guatemala. No subspecies are recognized as being valid. It is also known commonly as Godman's montane pit viper or Godman's pit viper.

<i>Cerrophidion tzotzilorum</i> Species of snake

Cerrophidion tzotzilorum is a venomous pit viper species which is native to southern Mexico. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid.

<i>Porthidium hespere</i> Species of snake

Porthidium hespere is a venomous pitviper species found in western Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Porthidium nasutum</i> Species of snake

Porthidium nasutum is a venomous pitviper species found in southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Porthidium lansbergii</i> Species of snake

Porthidium lansbergii is a species of venomous snake, a pitviper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to Central and South America. Four subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Metlapilcoatlus occiduus is a pit viper subspecies endemic to southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

References

  1. Chaves, G.; Lamar, W.; Porras, L.W.; Solórzano, A. (2014). "Atropoides mexicanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T197458A2485600. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T197458A2485600.en . Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  2. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  3. 1 2 3 4 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. 2 volumes. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN   0-8014-4141-2.
  4. "Atropoides mexicanus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 1 August 2008.